My father, my hero: Story of county paras under fire at Arnhem

In action at Arnhem: Men from 'C' Company, 156th Parachute Battalion, in one of the Hartenstein’s roofless service buildings, Oosterbeek, Holland. Lieutenant St Aubyn’s escort from 'C' Company, with Private Dugdale, far left, and Lance Corporal Rosenberg at the back of the group, holding a pistol. The picture was taken by Sergeant Mike Lewis, Army Film Unit.

Last month, the Leicester Mercury reported on the annual Battle of Arnhem commemorations held in Leicestershire.

Before the ill-fated Operation Market Garden was launched in September 1944, units of the 4th Parachute Brigade, consisting of the 10th, 11th and 156th Battalions of the Parachute Regiment, were based in the north-east of Leicestershire.

The 10th Battalion was centred on the villages of Somerby, Thorpe Satchville, Burrough on the Hill and Twyford.

The 11th Battalion was billeted in and around Melton Mowbray, as was the 156th Battalion, with their HQ at Staveley Lodge, now the Pera business park, with its four companies spread between Newport Lodge, Scalford Hall, and The Spinney.

I have been sent a copy of an interesting new book by author John O’Reilly, of the Vale of Belvoir, which graphically describes the exploits of the 4th Parachute Brigade at Arnhem.

It concentrates on 156 Parachute Battalion and Brigadier Hackett’s HQ during the heaviest three days of fighting, from September 18 to 20, 1944.

Theirs is a lesser-known story than that of 1st Parachute Brigade but is, nonetheless, just as dramatic – and even more costly.

'The O'Reilly Seven': Sergeant John O'Reilly lead an escape by 138 men from the Germans at Arnhem.

Mostly fought in the woods near Oosterbeek, we follow the Airborne men from when they drop on the heath outside Arnhem until their ultimate bayonet charge through the German lines. The paratroopers were intent on getting to their objective and would not give in.

The narrative, backed by new and known stories, gives the reader the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of those who fought and, in many cases, gave their lives for us.

Mr O’Reilly has a personal interest in the battalion – his father, Lance Corporal John J O’Reilly, took part in the battle.

Following three days of hard fighting near Arnhem, with virtually no ammunition left, O’Reilly’s platoon was surrounded by German troops.

With casualties increasing – including that of the platoon commander – O’Reilly and the handful of men left unwounded made an aggressive charge at speed through the Germans, which proved successful.

Referred to as the O’Reilly Seven, they then managed to evade capture behind the lines for some time, becoming adept at stealing food from under the noses of the Germans, mainly at night.

After three weeks of this, O’Reilly was fortunate to contact the Dutch Resistance via a military chaplain and, with his help, eventually took part in Operation Pegasus, a large-scale escape attempt by 138 men, mainly evaders from 1st Airborne Division, through the German lines towards the River Rhine where boats would be waiting to ferry them across to the Allied-held south bank.

It is clear that this book and his research has been a labour of love and respect for his father and the brave young men who never came back.

“I have produced just 500 copies of the book,” adds Mr O’Reilly.

“I am not in this for profit. I got involved as it was my father’s unit and because the battalion was disbanded after Arnhem – out of 603 men, only 36 came back: no one had heard of them.”

Together with his previous 2009 history of the 156th Battalion, From Delhi to Arnhem, Mr O’Reilly has made sure the story of these heroic Red Berets will never be forgotten.

*Signed copies of Walking In Their Footsteps: 156 Parachute Battalion & 4th Parachute Brigade, by John O’Reilly, is published by Thoroton Publishing Ltd at £25, including postage, by contacting 01949 851354.